Stella's Place

We can’t fight evil on our own. Today prayer is needed.

Ephesians 6:10-18

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

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RIP Tony!  He was born in 1926 as Anthony Dominick Benedetto in Queens, New York. His father was an Italian immigrant from Calabria, and his mother was born in the U.S. to Calabrian immigrant parents.  His father was unwell and unable to work, dying when Tony was only ten, and the family lived in poverty. Because of this, Tony left school at age 16 to help support the family. Eventually he became a singing waiter (!) and entered many amateur singing competitions.

He was drafted into the army during WWII, and, during the occupation phase after the defeat of Germany, sang with the 314th Army Special Services Band under the stage name Joe Bari.

Upon his discharge from the Army and return to the States in 1946, Tony attended the American Theatre Wing on the GI Bill. He continued to perform wherever he could, including while waiting tables.

In 1949, Pearl Bailey recognized Benedetto’s talent and asked him to open for her in Greenwich Village. She had invited Bob Hope to the show. Hope decided to take Tony Benedetto on the road with him and changed his name to Tony Bennett. In 1950, Tony was signed to the Columbia Records label.

Tony  had his first big hit in 1951 – Because of You.

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